Chely Wright Strikes Gold

Chely Wright celebrated the first Gold album of her career during a party (8/22) hosted by BMI Nashville. Single White Female on MCA Nashville has been certified for sales of more than 500,000 units. Wright was quick to share her success with her colleagues, album producers Tony Brown, Buddy Cannon and Norro Wilson, the MCA staff, her band and management; she presented gold plaques to every one on her team! Wright is also enjoying her recent nomination for the Horizon Award by the Country Music Association; the CMA Awards are set for October 4.

With the release of Disney�s The Little Mermaid II this September, Wright will be heard on the soundtrack singing "Part of Your World," and will perform the song at the movie�s Hollywood premiere.

Chely, with the wall of gold behind her

During this year�s Fan Fair, Wright officially launched her Reading, Writing and Rhythm Foundation at her fan club party. The $50,000 raised through a celebrity auction will go to the fund for awareness and materials for music education in the public schools. The first recipient was her alma mater, Wellsville High School in Wellsville, Kansas earlier this year with monies raised again through her fan club. Her next presentation will be a Nashville public school in October. The National Association of Music Educators assists in selection of the schools.